President Xi Jinping extended congratulations on Monday to Fudan University on the 120th anniversary of its founding, encouraging the university to promote a virtuous cycle between independent tech innovation and homegrown talent development.

In a congratulatory letter, Xi commended the university for keeping pace with the times, developing a glorious tradition of patriotism and a fine academic ethos, nurturing numerous outstanding talents, and producing a wealth of original achievements over the past 120 years.

The university, at a new starting point, should persist in using the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to forge inner strength and nurture talent, said Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

He called on the institution to deepen reform in education and scientific research, drive innovation in knowledge, theories and methods in philosophy and social sciences, and keep elevating its capacity to serve major national strategies and regional economic and social development.

Founded in 1905, Fudan is a comprehensive, research-oriented university based in Shanghai.

The letter from the president has offered immense inspiration to the university's faculty members and students.

Qiu Xin, Party secretary of Fudan, said the letter has "charted the course for the university's reform and development at a new starting point, and provided fundamental guidance".

"We are deeply encouraged and inspired, while also keenly aware of the great responsibilities and mission that lie ahead," he said.

Chi Nan, a professor and executive dean at the School of Information Science and Technology at the university, said she felt the president's high expectations for Fudan to deepen reforms in education and research, advance indigenous innovation and cultivate top-tier talent.

With a focus on meeting the country's major strategic needs and emerging industries of the future, the school will strive to foster academic and industry leaders with foresight and exceptional capabilities and aspire to become a national hub for disruptive innovation and top-tier talent, she said.

Sun Yuqi, a doctoral candidate at the university's College of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, said Xi's high expectations for the university had resonated strongly among its students.

"I am keenly aware that AI stands at the forefront of global tech competition, and that it holds the key to driving breakthroughs in strategic industries and helping China leap ahead in critical sectors," Sun said.

He added that he will continue to pursue breakthroughs in AI and work to overcome critical technological bottlenecks after graduation.

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